In the fiercely competitive world of MotoGP, rookie Ai Ogura has openly expressed that one particular result is deeply troubling him. After kicking off his inaugural season with a promising performance in Thailand, where he secured his best finish right out of the gate, Ogura has found himself grappling with self-doubt regarding his capabilities.
The reigning 2024 Moto2 world champion was unexpectedly signed by Trackhouse Aprilia, and his debut race in the 2025 season showcased his potential. He managed to achieve impressive top-five finishes, including a fifth-place result in Buriram, quickly positioning himself as a strong contender for the coveted rookie of the year title. However, despite this bright beginning, Ogura struggled to maintain that momentum. A series of injuries and inconsistent performances plagued him throughout the remainder of the season, casting a shadow over his initial success.
Looking back on his rookie year in MotoGP, Ogura reflects on how his remarkable start in Thailand failed to provide the necessary confidence boost he had hoped for. "It was quite the opposite," he confessed, revealing the emotional toll it took on him. "And that's killing me, because my best result was in my first race; it was something special."
This early success led to nagging questions about whether that performance truly reflected his potential. Despite the challenges, Ogura noted a silver lining: his recent races showed improvement, and he managed to secure several top-10 finishes towards the end of the season. "During this season, at one point, I thought maybe I wasn't good enough, but then I started riding the bike well. After the injury, especially during the difficult times, I had doubts. But in the last two grand prix, I've had some very good races. So now I see a bright future. This is good."
Describing his first year in MotoGP as "nothing special," Ogura added that he was not surprised by the events that unfolded during the season. "There's nothing special to say about my first year in MotoGP. Just races, lots of crashes and injuries. Although it's been a difficult year, there are still many positives. I'm very happy to have finished my rookie season, and I'm looking forward to the second one."
With a mindset focused on worst-case scenarios, Ogura acknowledged that he was not caught off guard by the ups and downs he faced this year. As a journalist who has covered MotoGP for five years, Lewis joined the Crash.net team in August 2024, bringing valuable insights into the dynamics of the sport.
